AN intriguing addition to the Law of the Game in this season’s re-write, has been to Law 5 – The Referee, which says: “Decisions will be made to the best of the referees’ ability, according to the Laws of the Game and the ‘spirit of the game’.”

What exactly is the reference to the referee’s ability intended to suggest?

Perhaps, to point out that we should expect the ability of the referee to differ depending on the level of games he/she is involved.

It amazes me how some people in youth football expect their referees to be as expert as those in the professional game.

Some years ago, I was asked to run the line at an Under 14 academy game and to act as mentor to the 16-year-old referee.

The coach of the other Football League club involved hurled abuse at the young referee and on the final whistle I had to stop him from charging over to castigate him for his mistakes.

I pointed out that, yes, he had made mistakes, but so had his players. They were all still learning and no-one would suggest that any of them were perfect.

Often when mentoring new referees, I have spoken to parents about their attitude to a young referee who could be refereeing for the first time.

These days he or she could well be a trainee referee, who has not even passed the exam on the Laws of the Game. Why do they expect them to have the ability of Howard Webb? When I point this out to them their attitude often changes.

I read an article recently in an American football magazine on the same subject.

It suggested new referees should wear grey shirts with Referee Education on the front to overcome this problem. I’m not sure this is the solution.

What we now need to see from the supporters of youth football as well as those who take part in the lower regions of the game, is a little bit more understanding and tolerance.